The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-07
THE EXETER HORROR.
The Death Roll Now Placed at one
Hundred and Fifty.
An Overturned Ticket office Blocked
the Only Exit.
Determined ParneIIltes Ready to Re-
sIst the Governments Action.

LONDON, Sept. 6-The FIRE was extinguish-
ed in the Exeter Theatre this morning. The
exact number of killed cannot now be
learned. but it viii certainly reach $50. The
victims Of the burned theatre were mostly
working people. The stairway leading to
the gallery was found literally packed with
bodies, while at the head Of the stairs were
scores Of others piled on top Of each other.
There were pitiable scenes In the vicinity of
the burned theatre this morning. as friends
and relatives Of supposed victims awaited
the recovery Of the bodies. In many cases.
fathers and mothers both perished. and nu-
merous children were left without means Of
support. Several bodies were burned so that
only small cinders remained. The number
Of persons severely injured Is 60. II is
feared that the death list will reach over $50.
1t has been ascertained that there were 200
these over 100 lost their lives.
The search for bodies still goes on. II Is
probable that the total number Of deaths
will never be ascertalned.
Replying TO questions in the Commons to-
day, Matthews, Home Secretary, said that
no Official survey Of the Theatre Royal at
Exeter was made by the home ONCE. The
Office had no authority to survey theatres In
the provinces. That duty devolved upon the
magistrates, who had the power TO refuse IL
censes II their demands regarding construe-
tion are not complied WITH In the area Of
London, the Board Of Works have power to
Inspect buildings and insist upon necessary
alterations. The calamity at Exeter showed
the necessity Of legislation In the matter,
and the government intended to deal with
the subject
The Inquest over the victims has begun.
Crowds OF mourning relatives were present.
The coroner intimated that 1t was desirable
for sanitary reasons, that q general order for
burial be Immediately issued. IL Is impossi-
BILE to identify many Of the bodies. The jury
simply viewed the remains. The public
funeral will be held tomorrow. A relief
fund has been opened.
Capt. Shaw, who was visiting in Exeter,
says the fire spread so rapidly, owing TO
the abundance Of infammable material, that
no help from the outside did any good. The
fire brigades spared no effort. IL would be
better, however, II they were placed under
one control. The Queen sent messages Of
sympathy TO the sufferers.
1t has been ascertained that In the rush
last night, the ticket box was upset at the
gallery exit. This was the cause Of the
block there. The remains Of nearly fifty
persons were found there. Most Of the
bodies were completely reduced to ashes.
Two stalls OF a stable belonging to hotel
adjacent to the theatre are filed with re-
mains that 1t Is impossible to Identify. Most
Of the killed were adults, and chiefly men.
But few children perished.
The municipal authorities held a special
meeting today and arranged for the inter-
ment Of all unidentified bodies.
The charred remains Of 20 persons were
discovered in one heap. A mother, father
and child were found clasped in one en-
brace. All three had been burned to
death.
In nearly every case the clothing had been
torn off the victims. From many Of the bod
les limbs were missing, and the remains
wrenched Off. Several whole families, num-
bering from two to five persons lost their
lives.